Did I tell you?

That last week I got a not so nice email from a photographer (who will not be named, but I want to tell you all so badly) telling me to essentially stay of her field.

Yes, its true. 

A commercial real estate lot that she claimed was "hers".... I can go into details, but basically I found out that she was lying to keep her spot hers.

I understand, that lot photographs so beautifully.

Lots people in this photography business are very protective, I get it, but there is a fine line between being rude and lying and being honest and protective.

I will still use that field to prove my point, but I was on a quest this morning (since my shoot got cancelled) for a new field.

Here is what I found....

and thanks to my wonderful model, Finneus.

You rock little man.

Thinking I should contact a modeling agency?

Nate's But Farm.... I mean Bate's Nut Farm.

This was our first time as a family to Bate's

It was actually my first time ever to Bate's even being a native San Diegan.

From the second we got there (could have been the long car ride there)

the kids went bonkers.

So much to do...

Feeding and petting the farm animals

Going on the pony ride... although he chose to pet the pony instead of ride it (said he didn't like the poo on the ground)

Picking out our $70 pumpkins (ok I'm exaggerating, but it was more than I thought it would be.... but I support local family owned businesses so I'm not complaining)

Picking out (and eating) yummy bags of candy... And can you believe it? The candy store was not their favorite part...

This was...

The look on his face was priceless.

 Oh! Here it comes!

Tractor ride!

 Feet firmly planted on the hay

 Holding on to dear life (because for a 20 month old this feels like a real ride)

 Looking at all the amazing things the pumpkin patch had to offer.

Truly a child's dream come true.

And when it was over, I watched him gaze over every now and again looking at the kids that were riding the tractor wishing he could do it again...

That is until

His best friend showed up.

Screw the tractor, Grayson's here!

Oh what fun did they have.

See you next year Bate's.

Thanks for giving this beach family a taste of the country life.

School Photos

Finn had his school pictures this last week with another photographer....

I've seen her flyers and prints all over the school

Seems silly to me to pay for more portraits, when I myself am a photographer.

Yes, she's talented, but there is no way she could make my child smile or look like this....

So here is to an awesome first year of preschool...

A first of many school photos.

(PS I will be buying the class photo)

(PPS I know the backdrop is wrinkled, steamers broke, off to Bed Bath and Beyond to purchase a new one!)

(PPPS Interested in this mini school portrait shoot? Email me)

Simple fun

When they aren't fighting (and that is rare)

it's amazing how much fun these two can have.

A few weeks ago (when it was hotter than heck) I sat and watched these two have the time of their lives with 3 things:

1. Water

(Yes I covered her who-ha with cute decals.... no baby nudity on my blog)

2. Odd end containers, buckets, cups and shovels

and

3. Each other

Just going back and forth...

...forth and back

dumping water in the trucks

and on themselves

Oh the joy!

In a panic to protect my lens, these images turned out much fuzzier than I would have liked....

but the kids were having a blast

and my lens was dry and waterless.

Linus on the other hand.....

was scared out his mind thinking he was the next target....

and he was.

The Terrible 3's

You hear all this talk about the "terrible 2's"

So when Finn turned 2... I waited in anticipation... and waited.... and waited....

for tantrums

throwing

screaming

hitting....

and you know what?

Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Sweet as apple pie.

Waited all the way till he was 3 and thought I was out of the woods.

Enter Finn version 3 point five. 

Wow.

Throwing himself on the ground at the toy store because he didn't get the toy he wanted?

Check.

Lying about who torn the pages out of the library book?

Check.

Urinating in places other than the toilet? 

Check.

New favorite saying "Sunday did it"?

Check.

You get it. 

I realized that I am not out of the woods, but that I have just entered into them.

Well, at least there is one thing that I can always count on with him.

Adorable and heart melting photos.

Finn, I love you so much, terrible or not (I know at heart you have the sweetest soul) and like I always tell you

"today was a hard day, but tomorrow will be better"

and it will...

First day of Preschool

Last week was Finn's first day of preschool

He was ready to go!

He brought his shark lunch box

and a great attitude....

such a big boy!

 Here is his preschool.

My mother in law was the director at this school. Wes and his siblings went here growing up so we thought we'd keep the tradition going. (And it is a GREAT school!)

He finds his class... room 3 with Ms. Lucy.

When its time to go in.... he's a little uncertain... but he is brave and eager.

 He finds his name badge...

and puts it on with the help of Ms. Cheyenne. He stares at it with awe and says "F-I-N-N, mama!"

Cubbie found,

a warm welcome received and shark lunch box in.... ready to learn

What a great first day he had....

except he came home with a fever!

Oh well.